Shakun
introduces you to
Jhulelal - The
Patron Saint of the Sindhis

Many rulers from neighboring
countries were attracted to the abundant material wealth and rich culture
of Sindh. Therefore the invaders came in hordes to plunder and to loot.
Initially they returned to their countries, after killing, abducting women and
leaving scores of dead people in their trail. Later, these frequent invaders
conquered the land watered by the Indus, and remained to rule with a barbaric
hand.

During the 10th Century AD, Sindh
came under the rule of the Samras who were direct descendants of converts from
Hinduism to Islam. Under their rule Hindus generally felt safe and secure.
However Thatta, a township in Southern Sindh had fallen in the hands of a tyrant
who called himself Mirkshah. Mirkshah threatened the Hindus to either
embrace Islam or die. The terrified people of Thatta asked their Sindhi
brethren from outside Thatta for help. However the frightened Hindu Sindhis of
other parts, afraid for their own life, offered no aid. The Sindhi Hindu
asked Mirkshah for time. Mirkshah was amused at the Hindus request for time, as
he wondered what could possibly be accomplished by their idiotic request.
The frustrated, frightened and helpless Hindu, in desperation, took to prayers
and penance on the banks of the Sindhu river. They turned to Varuna, The
Water God as their last resort. They fasted, prayed, offered rice, fruits,
coconuts called “akho” to the Water God and implored for an Incarnation to
redeem them from heir miseries. It is believed that on the 40th
day, the River God spoke to them. It said, that the Incarnation of God would
take birth in Nasarpur to save them from the atrocities of Mirkshah.

So on Cheti-chand was the Divine child born to
Devaki and Rattanchand of Nasarpur.

Upon opening the baby’s mouth, the parents
of the divine child saw the River Sindhu
flowing, and an old man with a white beard sitting on a “pala” fish, whose
peculiarity is that it swims against the tide. One astrologer called the child
“Amarlal” and claimed that his memory would be immortal as this name
suggested. Once while the baby Amarlal lay on his cradle, it started to swing of
its own accord, hence the child was also called “Jhulelal” which means one
who swings to and fro.

Mirkshah
got alarmed on hearing of the strange occurrences connected with the divine
child. He decided to do away with him, and hence sent his trusted minister,
Ahirio by name to Nasarpur. Ahirio tried to poison the child by bringing a
poisoned rose close to him, but the rose flew out of Ahirio’s hand as if by
providence. Suddenly Ahirio saw in front of his eyes an old man with a white
beard rising from the river, he saw him change into a handsome youth on
horseback with a sword in his hand. Thus though Ahirio had come to kill the
child, he bowed in reverence ( convinced that he had witnessed divinity ) and
became a faithful disciple.

Ahirio
implored Mirkshah to stop persecuting the divine child. Mirkshah may have
conceded to Ahirio’s prayer, but he was torn between his fears and beliefs.

When Mirkshah
finally confronted Jhulelal, he heard a sermon which proclaimed that the whole
of creation was propagated by one and only God, who Muslims call “Allah” and
Hindus “Ishwar”.

The Muslim priests
were angry on hearing the above. They believed that there was no other God but
Allah. Therefore they set out to arrest Jhulelal. As they moved towards Jhulelal,
ferocious waves encircled Mirkshah and his companions. Once they realized that
there was no escape for them, they cried out for forgiveness.

Jhulelal also known
as Uderolal repeated that all creation is the Lord’s manifestation, and if He
had so desired, He would have ordained Hindus to be born as Muslims. Mirkshah
bowed and promised to treat Hindus and Muslims alike. The persecution of the
Hindus stopped. To the grateful Hindus Jhulelal proclaimed not to despair in
times of difficulty, as He would again come to their aid.

During and after
the partition, Sindhis forgot about this promise. They were again, however
reminded of the Sindhi Blessed Deity Jhulelal, by beloved Dada Ram Panjwani, (Professor,
deep thinker, writer, singer from Larkana) who sang Sindhi songs, danced
“Kanwar Bhagat Chej”and celebrated “Cheti-Chand”(the birthday of
Jhulelal). Dada Ram Panjwani will forever reign in the heart of the Sindhis for
reminding his Sindhi brethren in all parts of the world, of the rich cultural
heritage that they had left behind in Sindh.

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